Just received my wife's medical report -- What does it mean?

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TomOr
TomOr Member Posts: 4
edited October 2015 in Just Diagnosed

My wife went in for a mammogram on Aug 28th that came back showing 2 masses. Biopsy came back Aug 31. There were 2 1cm tumors in her left breast... comedocarcinoma Grade 2 was what the report said.

We got a couple opinions about how we should proceed.  The consensus was that she should have, I don't know the technical term, a big piece of her breast removed. That happened on Sep 30.

Now the medical report says this....

IDC, grade 3, triple negative, with a positive sentinel lymph node Ki67 90%. pT1c (13mm) pN1(1/7) M0 (negative CT of chest, abdomen and pelvis, negative bone scan.

She just turned 35 a couple weeks ago. 

Can someone shed some light on what this journey is going to look like? It was just a couple weeks I was putting together an anniversary vacation, and now everything is upside like a nightmare we can't wake up from.

 

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  • Italychick
    Italychick Member Posts: 2,343
    edited October 2015

    with triple negative, she is probably headed for chemo, then either radiation since she had a lumpectomy from what you are saying, or else she can go back and consider a mastectomy. But depending on where the tumor was, how close to chest wall, radiation might be recommended even with a mastectomy, especially with a positive node. I had negative estrogen and progesterone receptors, slightly her2 positive, and surgeon and MO both said automatically chemo. Shocked the crap out of me. I think it is also saying her lump was 13 mm? Mine was the exact same size.

    The good thing about grade 3 (if there is a good thing) is that chemo is more effective on grade 3 tumors.

    What have they told you is the next step? Gentle hugs, you both can get through this, I finished chemo almost five months ago. Remember, 13 mm is about half an inch, so tiny, as my breast surgeon told me

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  • Skittlegirl
    Skittlegirl Member Posts: 428
    edited October 2015

    Sorry that you have found yourself here.

    IDC is invasive ductal cancer, which is the most common type.

    Grade 3 means that the cancer cells are very different from normal cells.

    Triple negative means that there are no hormone receptors on the cancer cells so the presence or absence of estrogen and/or progesterone makes no difference to the cancer cells. The third negative is for Her2 which is a protein that can be over expressed in cancer cells and indicates aggressiveness.

    Given her young age, be prepared for aggressive treatment including chemotherapy. Since it looks like she has a lymph node involved pN1, she may also have radiation as part of her treatment course. It's a long journey, so take it a day at a time. And try not to think too far down the treatment path because it's easy get overwhelmed.

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  • marijen
    marijen Member Posts: 3,731
    edited March 2017

    Skittlegirl, if only my MO had it explained it like that to start with.

    Tom, there is way more to it as we digest all the information. I also have IDC, with surgery next week and then radiation

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  • TomOr
    TomOr Member Posts: 4
    edited October 2015

    Thank you for such a prompt response.

    My wife originally wanted to get a double mast. right away, and sought out an aggressive surgeon doctor that specializes in the research behind preventative surgeries. His recommendation was that given the recovery time necessary and the possible complications that could arise from the surgical procedure given her very large breasts, she should opt for a less invasive procedure. Then immediately start chemo. ECx4 Taxol x12 with Carboplatin, with radiation following.

    So we did the surgery part Sep 30. Then fertility treatments and embryo harvesting (sounds like Star Trek), as the doctor said that if we planned on having children we'd have to get that taken care of soon. Our next appointment with the oncologist is in 2 weeks.

    How soon after the surgery should the chemo start? Seems like 5-6 weeks is a lot, but I could just be anxious to get this over with.

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  • TomOr
    TomOr Member Posts: 4
    edited October 2015

    God bless, Marijen. I hope all goes as well as can be.

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  • ElaineTherese
    ElaineTherese Member Posts: 3,328
    edited October 2015

    Tom,

    Your wife's medical oncologist wouldn't start chemo right after surgery; her body needs to have healed and be in good shape before she starts chemo. So, while 5-6 weeks seems like a long time, it might be what's necessary to make sure she is strong enough to go through her treatment.

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  • Italychick
    Italychick Member Posts: 2,343
    edited October 2015

    TomOr, she always has the option to go back for the mastectomy process. In my experience, they don't like to start chemo until four weeks have passed from surgery. But then they don't want you to delay too long. In part it depends how fast your wife heals. Did they say why 5-6 weeks? Maybe for the embryo harvesting?

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  • marijen
    marijen Member Posts: 3,731
    edited August 2018

    Thanks for the blessing Tom!

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  • maxdog
    maxdog Member Posts: 147
    edited October 2015

    Tom-from what I have learned, chemo starts no more than 6 weeks from surgery. It seems like a.long time, but there is a lot of research out there to support this. I personally did not need chemo, but your dear wife will. Just take one step at a time. It is completely overwhelming! There is a lot of great information on this website. I also believe there is a triple negative group in the forums.

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  • art15
    art15 Member Posts: 66
    edited October 2015

    Hate to break it to you, as a husband of wife w/ Triple Negative BC, metaplastic, stage 3C, you need to SLOW DOWN. Yea, I'm telling it like it is... VACATION???? So, let me get this straight... you want your wife to wrap-up her appointments so as not to interfere with your plans? Sorry for being an ass, but you need a reality check, in my opinion. Or I miss-interpretted your situation?

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  • dltnhm
    dltnhm Member Posts: 873
    edited October 2015

    Wow Art -

    Big misinterpretation on your part. Big. Huge.

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  • brithael
    brithael Member Posts: 224
    edited October 2015

    I'm in the Chicago area too, and I just got diagnosed about three weeks ago. But I'm an old chick, and have already had my children, so my heart goes out to you and your wife. Don't let it get you down. There have been so many wonderful changes in breast cancer treatment and survivorship. My surgeon said chemo after 5-6 weeks as well since I also have lymph node inclusion. My husband and I were planning our 47th anniversary trip, and we're still taking it. We're going after the surgery (about 4 weeks)and before the chemo. Viva Las Vegas!

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